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B L Munger

Publications and source records attributed to B L Munger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Fetal development of primate chemosensory corpuscles. II. Synaptic relationships in early gestation.

Fungiform papillae contained well-developed chemosensory corpuscles in macaque monkey fetuses with crown-rump lengths of 5.0-9.0 cm. These fetuses corresponded to stages from the last part of the first and beginning of the second trimester of gestation. Chemosensory cells extended from the epithelial basal lamina to the taste pore anlage at the apex of the corpuscle and had typical afferent synaptic contacts with presumptive gustatory axons. Apical secretory granules, the distinctive cytologic feature of sustentacular cells, were absent. Cells with cytologic characteristics intermediate between chemosensory cells and basal extragemmal cells were considered to be differentiating chemosensory (DC) cells and appeared to arise from existing basal cells as well as undifferentiated postmitotic cells. Although extragemmal cells were extensively coupled by gap junctions which are apparent in electron micrographs of thin sections, similar junctions were absent from chemosensory and DC cells. While having minimal structural requirements for transduction and transmission of sapid stimuli (i.e., an intraoral surface and afferent synaptic contacts) chemosensory cells lacked efferent synapses and subsurface cisternae, which can be observed at later stages of gestation. Axoaxonic synapses, present between gustatory axons in the intragemmal and extragemmal epithelium and in the subgemmal connective tissue, were observed with greater frequency than at later stages of gestation. We conclude that the differentiation of chemosensory cells precedes the differentiation of sustentacular cells by several weeks. This fact lends support to the concept that chemosensory cells are a unique identifiable cells type in all chemosensory corpuscles.

Animals↗

Fetal development of primate chemosensory corpuscles. I. Synaptic relationships in late gestation.

Fetal macaque chemosensory corpuscles during the last part of gestation contained chemosensory, sustentacular, and undifferentiated basal cells. Sustentacular cells had apical secretory granules and no specialized contacts with axons. Chemosensory cells contained basal collections of 80-100 nm dense core granules, and specialized axonal contacts of three types--afferent synapses, efferent synapses, and subsurface cisternae. Afferent synapses were commonly present on electron opaque cells with many 80-100-nm granules, typical 40-60-nm synaptic vesicles, and a few cisternae of smooth or granular endoplasmic reticulum. Cells with subsurface cisternae and/or efferent synapses were usually electron lucent, lacked vesicles and granules, and contained numerous intracytoplasmic cisternal elements. A continuum of intermediate forms was observed. It is postulated that transition of synaptic arrays accompanies the maturation of individual chemosensory cells.

Animals↗

Correlation of histology and sensibility after nerve repair.

The partially denervated human fingertip was used as a model to correlate results of a detailed evaluation of sensibility with the presence of reinnervated sensory corpuscles identified by light and electron microscopy. In each of the three patients studied, the histologically identified reinnervated mechanoreceptors were appropriate to provide the neurophysiologic basis for the observed results of clinically tested sensibility.

Adult↗

Embryonic maturation of sensory terminals of primate facial hairs.

The present study examines the sequence of maturation of sensory nerve terminals that can be identified on primate facial guard hairs. At birth, the sensory innervation of both guard and vellus hairs is mature in that lanceolate, Ruffini, and free nerve ending (FNE) terminals can be identified and resemble those of the adult. Presumptive lanceolate terminals can be identified at the beginning of the third trimester of gestation, and other axons present are either Ruffini or FNEs, but definite identification is not possible. In the latter half of the second trimester only axons arranged circumferentially are present, resembling FNE or Ruffini terminals. Some of these axons directly abut the hair follicle and might eventually become lanceolate endings. The earliest nerve terminals associated with hairs cytologically resemble FNE or Ruffini terminals. At the onset of hair differentiation in the early part of the second trimester, nerves were always associated with developing epithelial hair placodes. Branching Schwann cells in the axons radiating toward the epidermis in these youngest embryos studied were best identified by electron microscopy. The early development of afferent nerve fibers in hairy skin provides an anatomical substrate for the known reflexogenic activity of primate embryos. Adequate cytologic criteria are thus available for the identification of sensory terminals in growing, differentiating, and presumably regenerating axons in primate hairy skin.

Animals↗

Multiple afferent innervation of primate facial hairs--Henry Head and Max von Frey revisited.

Large guard hairs as well as small vellus hairs are multiple innervated having lanceolate terminals of variable number. Ruffini corpuscles consisting of fine axonal ramifications are arranged circularly and located external to the lanceolate terminals. Free nerve endings (FNE's) can also be identified on some hairs distinct from Ruffini terminals. Ruffini terminals and FNE's are usually innervated by axons from the superficial dermal nerve net whereas lanceolate terminals are innervated by axons from the deeper portions of the dermal nerve net. All guard hairs have both types of terminals (lanceolate and Ruffini) confirming Hoggan and Hoggan, Retzius and Symonowicz, and most guard hairs have presumptive FNE's. Many vellus hairs have only small Ruffini endings or FNE's. The diameter of axons supplying Ruffini terminals is 1-2 micrometer and those to lanceolate terminals is 2-4 micrometers. Axons innervating lanceolate and Ruffini terminals branch rarely as correlated with small punctate receptive fields. FNE's branch widely and are correlated with large receptive fields of known nociceptors. The multiplicity of anatomically defined terminals is consistent with the known diversity of physiologically defined hair mechanoreceptive afferents as well as perceptual complexity of human hairy skin. The concept of multiple innervation of hairs confirms Head's prediction and could provide the anatomical basis of Head's basic thesis of altered sensibilities in nerve regeneration (i.e. epicritic and protopathic responses). Head's concept of two separate nervous systems, however, is an over-simplification in the light of current knowledge.

Afferent Pathways↗

Identification of the Ruffini corpuscle in human hairy skin.

A Ruffini corpuscle was identified in the dense reticular dermis of the human scalp from a patient with alopecia areata. The corpuscle measured approximately 50 micrometer in diameter. One afferent myelinated axon with a diameter of 4-6 micrometer supplies the corpuscle. Branched axon terminals and the associated Schwann cells tightly envelop parallel bundles of collagen fibrils. Axon terminals evidenced focal swellings, and small finger-like protrusions projected into the endoneural connective tissue. The terminals are characterized by the presence of abundant mitochondria, numerous vesicles, particles of glycogen and electron-opaque lipid material. A thin perineural capsule envelops the bundles of collagen fibrils and associated terminals. The present study provides the first electron-microscopic characterization of a Ruffini corpuscle in human hairy skin.

Adult↗

Glomerular basement membrane changes in aging nondiabetic and diabetic guinea pigs.

Glomerular hyperplasia and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane increase with age in humans and animals. This glomerulopathy can be enhanced by hyperglycemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus. When diabetic guinea pigs were examined by fluorescent microscopy, deposits of a substance similar to immunoglobulin G (IgG) were seen. Comparison with nondiabetic age-matched control animals suggest that glomerulopathy is related to aging, and can be further enhanced by hyperglycemia.

Aging↗

Sensory nerve endings in rhesus monkey sinus hairs.

The sensory innervation of primate sinus hairs has been studied by light and electron microscopy. For light microscopy paraffin sections as well as thick frozen sections were impregnated with silver and compared with serial semi-thin sections of tissue prepared for electron microscopy. One type of sensory terminal is present in the epidermis surrounding the hair follicle, and four specific nerve terminals have been identified within the blood sinus. An epidermal rete ridge collar encircles the hair shaft and contains approximately 200 Merkel cell-neurite complexes. Numerous other Merkel cell-neurite complexes are present in the external root sheath of the hair follicle beneath a thick glassy membrane innervated by approximately 65 nerve fibers. At this level 10-15 lanceolate or palisade terminals are situated in the connective tissue. Up to 10 simple encapsulated corpuscles can be identified above the level of lanceolate endings and Merkel cell terminals. Ruffini corpuscles are closely applied to the glassy membrane below the lanceolate and Merkel terminals at the level where nerve fibers penetrate the capsule of the sinus. All of these terminals are supplied by 80-100 large diameter myelinated fibers distributed approximately as follows: 65 innervate Merkel cell-neurite complexes, 15 to lanceolate, 10 to simple corpuscles, and 10 to Ruffini corpuscles. The innervation of the rete ridge collar is independent of that of the sinus consisting of 10-12 fibers derived from the superficial dermal network. Each of these sensory terminals can be correlated with specific functional parameters as described in numerous neurophysiologic studies. Merkel cell-neurite complexes and Ruffini corpuscles ae slowly adapting receptors; lanceolate terminals and simple corpuscles are rapidly adapting receptors.

Animals↗

The cytologic composition of primate laryngeal chemosensory corpuscles.

The present study defines the cellular composition of chemosensory corpuscles (taste buds) present in the mucosa overlying the arytenoid cartilages of the larynx in serial sections studied by electron microscopy. Three cell types can be defined in such chemosensory corpuscles. Basal cells are relatively undifferentiated in terms of cytologic characteristics and have been identified presumptively as the stem cells for differentiation of the other two cell types. Sustentacular or supporting cells are characterized by the presence of apical electron-opaque granules that apparently are extruded into the lumen of the pore, and are, thus, the source of the electron-opaque extracellular material present between the microvilli protruding from the apex of the cells into the chemosensory corpuscle pore. The chemosensory cells are characterized by the presence of synaptic specializations with appended nerve fibers at the base of the cell, the presence of specific cytoplasmic secretory granules, as well as numerous clusters of typical synaptic vesicles, and apical microvilli that extend into the pore of the corpuscle. Other cell profiles encountered in chemosensory corpuscles are cells in various stages of degeneration or transition, to one of the other cell types, from undifferentiated basal cells. Two types of synaptic specializations have been identified as being associated with chemosensory cells. The first is characterized by an increased electron-opacity of the respective plasma membranes of nerve fiber and chemosensory cell. In this situation numerous synaptic vesicles usually are present in the cytoplasm of the chemosensory cell subjacent to the membrane densities. A second type of synaptic association is characterized by the presence of subsurface cisterns of agranular endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of the chemosensory cell, and numerous synaptic vesicles often are present in the axoplasm of the subjacent neurite, suggesting a reciprocal synapse. These findings are interpreted to indicate that only one cell type is specialized for transducing chemical signals into neural activity and that this cell is modulated by activity of the nervous system.

Animals↗

The sensory innervation of primate eyelid.

The skin of primate eyelid contains three distinctive sensory nerve terminals. Small down hairs have a collar of lanceolate terminals that are formed by ramifications of the six to eight myelinated afferent fibers. Extensions of Schwann-cell cytoplasm form masses of cytoplasmic lamellae associated with these terminals. Every large hair or eyelash contains a large pilo-Ruffini as well as sparse lanceolate terminals. The eyelash Ruffini corpuscle resembles those of monkey facial guard hairs, sinus hairs, and joint capsules of the cat and pigeon. Sparse lanceolate terminals present between the Ruffini corpuscle and eyelash external root sheath resemble those of vellus hairs. On rare occasion Merkel cells are present in the hair follicle external root sheath above the sebaceous gland. Merkel touch spots, or Tastscheiben, are located between contiguous eyelashes as small rete pegs containing several Merkel cell-neurite complexes innervated by one or two myelinated afferent fibers. The function of this array of sensory terminals is presumed to represent an extensive mechanism of protection for the cornea and globe. On the basis of studies reported to date we can conclude that the Ruffini corpuscles (and related receptors) are the ubiquitous mechanoreceptors of cutaneous and musculoskeletal systems in birds as well as mammals.

Animals↗

The ultrastructure of Ruffini and Herbst corpuscles in the articular capsule of domestic pigeon.

The present study identifies two types of sensory nerve endings in the articular capsule of the shoulder joint of domestic pigeons: Ruffini corpuscles (spray-like endings), and Herbst corpuscles. Ruffini corpuscles occur in the fibrous membrane of the articular capsule and consist of two to four branched cylindrical segments within a network of fascicles of collagen fibers. At the terminal ends of the cylinders the perineural sheaths of the capsule are deficient and surround the fascicles of collagen fibers. The axon terminals in each cylindrical segment of a Ruffini corpuscle repeatedly ramify, giving rise to delicate neurite profiles. These neurites and associated Schwann cells envelope small fascicles of collagen fibrils. Schwann cells cover only a part of the neurite profiles. The myelinated afferent axon enters the midregion of the cylinder and has a diameter of approximately 3 micrometer. Herbst corpuscles are situated in the subsynovial connective tissue and in the transition zone between the fibrous membrane and the muscular fascia. They appear as elongated ovals in longitudinal section and round in cross section. Small corpuscles measure approximately 5 micrometer x 200 micrometer in length and large ones approximately 100 micrometer x 600 micrometer. Each has a myelinated afferent axon (diameter 2.5--7.5 micrometer) that terminates in one to three inner cores. The inner core contains the nonmyelinated receptor portion of the nerve fiber surrounded by numerous cytoplasmic lamellae, a subcapsular connective tissue space, and a perineural capsule of eight to 12 layers. Avian joint receptors are similar to those present in the skin of various birds and Ruffini corpuscles resemble in fine structure equivalent receptors in joint corpuscles of the domestic cat.

Animals↗

A cytologic study of Grandry corpuscle development in chicken toe skin.

The developmental sequence of Grandry corpuscles was traced in the toe skin of embryonic, young and adult chickens by light and electron microscopy. The developing Grandry cells as well as Schwann cells can first be identified at stage 38 (approximately 12 days of incubation) due to the cytoplasmic content of scattered secretory granules of approximately 100 nm in diameter. Such developing Grandry cells are always associated with nerve fibers. During late stages (stages 40-42, 14-16 days of incubation) several immature Grandry cells formed cell clusters in the dermis. Such cell clusters were always in contact with growing nerve tips of Schwann cells. Immature Grandry cells were separated from one another and dispersed in the connective tissue compartment at stages 44-45 (near hatching). By the time of hatching the developing Grandry cells began to have the morphological characteristics of adult cells. They were relatively large in cell diameter (approximately 10 micron) containing numerous secretory granules and bundles of filamentous material. These cells had finger-like cytoplasmic processes. The Grandry cells at this time had an intimate relationship with nerve fibers and satellite cells. The fact that Grandry cells were always associated with nerve fibers throughout development would support the hypothesis that Grandry cells are derived from neural elements, perhaps neural crest. Satellite cells of Grandry corpuscles are apparently derived from Schwann cells. Grandry cells and corpuscles are adult in form by two to three months of age.

Animals↗

The pilo-Ruffini complex: a non-sinus hair and associated slowly-adapting mechanoreceptor in primate facial skin.

A spray-type of nerve ending identified as a Ruffini corpuscle closely associated with a non-sinus hair has been defined in terms of its histologic, ultrastructural and physiologic parameters. The hair and its associated mechanoreceptor, termed a pilo-Ruffini complex, responds as a slowly adapting (SA) mechanoreceptor, whereas most non-sinus hair-associated mechanoreceptors are rapidly adapting. Morphologically, the terminal nerve fibers branch repeatedly within a unique connective tissue matrix, and the neurite and associated connective tissue matrix forms a collar around the hair follicle. This receptor, on the basis of its organization, is interpreted as corresponding to the corpuscle or end organ of Ruffini.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Buckshot wounds.

The differences between wounds due to conventional shotgun (shot) injuries and those inflicted by buckshot are inadequately appreciated by most clinicians. Cadaver extremities were used as targets for 12-gauge loads of No. 6 shot and 00 Buckshot to portray some of the "wounding" characteristics of these popular shotgun loads. "Wounds" so produced were consistent with expected ballistic performance of these projectiles. The lethality of buckshot wounds is discussed, four clinical cases are described, and the wounding mechanisms are briefly outlined.

Adolescent↗